The right to education as a tool in the rehabilitation of prisoners: a study of Kamiti prison, Kenya

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to explore the right to education as an effective rehabilitative instrument in prison. It sought to investigate the effect of education on rehabilitation of prisoners; the relationship between education and recidivism; the role of education towards inmate’s re-entry into society; and the challenges faced in the implementation of education in prison. The study adopted a descriptive research method with a target comprising of 2000 prisoners, community leaders (10), families of prison inmates (10) and prison administrators (20). The purposive sampling techniques and the simple random sampling method were used in determining the members of the sample group and focused group discussion respectively. Both primary and secondary data sources were used and the data collected was exposed to qualitative and quantitative method of analysis. The descriptive statistical tools such as SPSS and MS Excel are used to present the data in the form of tables and charts. Percentages and frequencies are used to make the interpretation of the findings. The investigation establishes that an overwhelming number of prisoners, (95%) recognize the presence of education program in prison while 77% of respondent agree that education in prison is easily accessible. It is thus concluded that education in prison provides prisoners with time to think, grow and reflect on the past life and imagine a future of possibilities. It is further concluded that prison education provided an opportunity for employment; an avenue for one to turn his life around for better and a door for smooth transition to society. The study therefore recommended that, the prison department should sensitize the community about the role of prison to enable society understand prison and improve the image of the department which in the long run helps prisoners in their transitional back to society. Prison authority should employ more trained and qualified teachers to cater for education needs of the prison population while developing follow-up programs and monitoring the progress of those released to society.